Act 1, Scene 2, Part 2 Summary

As Henry and Eleanor finish putting up the holly, they banter about whether Henry truly misses Eleanor, how difficult life in her prison/castle is, and how difficult it will be for Henry to lose Alais. Henry reminds Eleanor of how many rebellions she's led against him, and she comments that she nearly won the last one, asking how important the Vexin truly is. When Henry says it's essential because even though it's small, it gives him a launching point from which to invade France if he ever needs to. Eleanor says that if Alais doesn't marry Richard, she will see to it that Henry loses the Vexin. She's determined Richard will be king and admits it's important to her because it's so important to Henry. Henry says in the years Eleanor's been in prison he's surprised himself by discovering how sick he...